Al-Mikdad and Bagheri Kani hold a press conference

Damascus, (ST) –  Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Faisal al-Mikdad met on Tuesday with Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and the accompanying delegation at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Al-Mikdad stressed the importance of continuing the strategic relations between Syria and Iran and the ongoing cooperation to enhance them.

For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister said: I came to Syria today to extend, on behalf of the Iranian government and people, thanks and appreciation to the Syrian government and people for their solidarity with us in the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions.

Bagheri Kani pointed out that Iran and Syria are allies with close relations and are considered two main pillars of stability in the region.

Bagheri Kani added: Iran, as it has always been, stands firmly with the resistance to confront the Israeli occupation.

He added that the crimes of the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip should be stopped and humanitarian aid should be delivered to them without conditions.

Bagheri Kani stressed that Iran has always stood by Syria in fighting terrorism and supporting it to achieve more stability and development.

In response to journalists’ interventions, Minister Al-Mikdad said: The basic condition for any Syrian-Turkish dialogue is that Ankara declares its readiness to withdraw from our occupied territories.

Al-Mikdad said: We want to see the Turkish pledges come through by the withdrawal from our occupied territories and by  stopping its support for terrorist organizations.

Raghda Sawas